AIME 2007 – A sure-fire success

With fireworks lighting up the Melbourne skyline, thousands of people experiencing the roar of 100,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and a host of new features in the exhibition, AIME 2007 and Melbourne set a new standard in industry exhibitions this year.

“Rosemarie Sama, AIME Event Director said, “This year we celebrated the 15th AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo and from the fireworks that lit up the Melbourne skyline to the buzz around the exhibition, AIME started as it ended, a sure-fire success,” adding, “The feedback from exhibitors, trade visitors and Hosted Buyers has been that this year AIME really lifted the bar in all areas.” 

“There has been amazing feedback on the success of the social events this year – the Welcome Reception, Discover Victoria, held at the MCG, the Dine on the Docks Dinner, complete with a spectacular fireworks display and the Crown Supper Party at the new Studio 3. Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) really showcased Melbourne in a way that will not be forgotten,” she said.

Ms Sama said that the success of AIME 2007 was due to a number of new features and a commitment to each year improving the quality of the buyer and trade visitor audience.

“The quality of Hosted Buyers and trade visitors was excellent and the return to February resulted in an even better event than last year and we had an extremely good response to our new features – our One Day Packages, Ask the Experts Stand, Reward, Merchandise and Incentive section, Pamper Zone, International Espresso Bar with global news and our special Love Lounge, a one-off gesture for Valentine’s Day,” she said.

Exhibitors commented on AIME’s return to February and the quality of the audience.

David Bosse from Hilton Hotels said: “We aimed to improve the quality of the appointments we had and this has been easily achieved with the quality of visitors attending AIME this year.”

Michelle Alice Thoo from the Singapore Tourism Board said that AIME 2007 was “much better than last year.”  “We have had a better range of visitors and we are really glad that it’s back in its February slot.”

Annabel Davis from the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre agreed, saying: “AIME is always a good show for us and this year is no exception. It’s is good to have it back in its February spot.”

Nick Larkworthy from Virgin Atlantic said that previously the airline had judged performance based on the quantity of people coming through adding, “That’s not valid anymore, it’s all about quality and that’s what we’ve got here.”  “We have already been making group bookings.”

Jemima Hoile from Dubai was also happy with the attendance. “It might be because Dubai is such a hot topic at the moment, but we have been busy since the show opened, with loads of appointments both pre-booked appointments and others turning up throughout the show.”

Hosted Buyers, who commit to a programme of pre-scheduled appointments with exhibitors, were please with the variety of product on offer, and the size and quality of the exhibits.

Mandie Quince from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research said AIME 2007 had been excellent. “It’s my first time and it has been very interesting.  There is loads of useful information all in the same place.”

Barbara Addison from Avanti Events also attended AIME for the first time. “It’s my first time and I’ve had some good meetings. It’s bigger than I had anticipated.”  “Compared to Sydney on Sale this is much busier.”

Tracy Brown from Suncorp Metway said: “I don’t have time during the year to catch up properly and this is a great opportunity to see everyone under one roof.”

Trade visitor, Stuart French from Salesforce said there was a good range of products from all states of Australia. “We organise events for 5 – 1,000 people and we’ve already found loads of useful suppliers in the first three aisles.”

Christine Rodgers and Julianne Hearn, who teach exhibition planning at William H TAFE, said: “The standard of stands has dramatically improved” and that “AIME was an informative, interesting and brilliant experience.”

Attendance figures for AIME 2007 were similar to the previous year, with Reed Travel Exhibitions announcing that the pre-audit total attendance figure was 2,640 compared to last year CAB audited figure of 2,644 including media.

Make a date now, as AIME 2008 will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 19-20 February, 2008.

Special AIME report by The Mole